Massachusetts is home to more than 600 biotechnology companies, 475 medical device and equipment manufacturers and 75 pharmaceutical companies. Combined with an unparalleled number of academic and medical research institutions, the Commonwealth is undeniably a dominant force in the global biotechnology and life sciences sector.

At the 2012 BIO International Convention in Boston last month, we announced great collaborations that will highlight Massachusetts as a leader in health care and biotechnology innovation, not just here in the United States, but around the world.

The two announcements made at the BIO Convention stem directly from the work accomplished by Northern Ireland Massachusetts Connection (NIMAC), the informal organization we started in 2009 to make transatlantic connections establishing Massachusetts as the gateway to the United States for European nations and expanding opportunities for research and business growth in Massachusetts and Europe.

We began NIMAC with Northern Ireland and quickly added Finland and the Catalonia region of Spain as members. Together, we realized that small connections can make a very big impact.

This second research project brings together some of the best doctors and researchers from Massachusetts, Finland and Northern Ireland who are working on a non-invasive way to evaluate whether polyps and pre-malignant lesions may be cancerous. This cutting edge research, begun by Dr. Ramon Franco of the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, will save patients from unnecessary surgery and be a more cost-effective diagnosis of such lesions. This research has been awarded funding through the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, with additional commitments from Finland and Northern Ireland.

In Massachusetts, we understand that we can look beyond our state and national borders to forge new collaborations that will have a positive impact here and around the world. That is why we continue to encourage and emphasize research and innovation in the life sciences and biotechnology sectors.

We were also excited to announce at the BIO Convention that, as a leader in eHealth initiatives, Massachusetts has been chosen to host the first US-EU Conference outside of Washington, D.C. to discuss and promote the MOU signed by the European Commission and the United States Department of Health and Human Services to promote eHealth.

This two-day event in October will include a business marketplace providing opportunities for companies, health providers, research institutions and others from both sides of the Atlantic to encourage business relationships, research and other collaborations. It is designed to generate real business and to foster lasting, effective relationships as well as to supply market intelligence on the size, structure and potential opportunities of the joint market of more than 800 million citizens.

We already have commitments from Northern Ireland, Finland, England, Spain, Scotland and France, and we expect to have several other European countries and regions sign on. This gives us a real opportunity to again solidify Massachusetts’ leading role in the United States on eHealth initiatives and provide opportunities for European companies that want to break into our market.

The connections we have created in a few short years through NIMAC have shown that these types of collaborations can foster significant benefits economically and socially. Massachusetts is way ahead of the rest of the nation on these issues and on the forefront of how these partnerships can be an economic benefit to the Commonwealth and its residents.

Showing other states and other countries that Massachusetts is the best place for the biotech and health industries to set up shop will benefit the Commonwealth and regions like the South Shore and the Cape. Attracting new and growing businesses to the Commonwealth will provide good-paying jobs for our residents and the increase in revenues will have a positive impact on local budgets.

NIMAC has been a catalyst for great international collaboration, and we will continue to build on these partnerships and expand the economic opportunities they have provided.

For more information on these announcements, please visit www.ThereseMurray.com.